Sometimes to turn over a new leaf, you need to chop down the whole tree...

One year ago, I paused my breeding program. There were several driving factors we’ll cover more at length (it might take a couple of articles!), but one of the biggest is that my lines were at a point in generations where it was time for health testing and observation of grown adults for overall health and vigor. Reliable inheritance of temperament takes at least four generations to prove. I had developed solid theories in what I was working toward—it was time to turn those theories into living proof.

Auggie (Left), will turn 11 in June. Abby (middle) is very much like her grandmother CNK Bonnie Lee (right)

​If that’s the Yin, the Yang is that I had outgrown the cabin with the view in Evergreen.  This year off had provided me the time I needed to get training certification, continue my education in canine genetics. I was able to devote time to producing www.shawnasdoglife.com into an online platform for my dog people (farm and city-folk alike) to engage with each other. I had to learn code you guys....painful but rewarding. This space is a private community for my owners and students to connect, share health updates, and get support with training and behavioral issues.  It is a hub where you can track health data, plan future generations and find peer support for every stage of your dogs development.

Find it here: Members | shawnasdoglife

New beginnings with new roots 

Right: "L" from the Anthem of the Sun litter enjoys our boarding space with cousin CNK Bonnie Lee and our very own "King Solomon's Marbles " (Solly) :back

​I’m thrilled to finally share the "Yang" to my recent change. While I loved the Evergreen cabin, the next phase of my breeding and training program required room to grow—and we’ve found it. We are now settled on nearly two acres of partitioned land designed specifically for agriculture and elite dog training. ​Whether you are looking for boundary training, scent work, or agility, our new space is purpose-built to help your dog or new puppy thrive.

View from the barn, overlooking the garden. All we grow will be shared with our livestock and dogs.

 The next phase of my breeding program involves improving and honing the temperament that makes the Colorado Mountain Dog (CMD) unique amongst its Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) brothern. Focus is on an easy-to-contain, friendly-to-people, discerning-to-wildlife dog that is protective of its charges with a non-rangy bark that it uses with care.

Small yard near the house leads to an open aspen grove and livestock/training yards further out.

​Right now, you’ll find our dogs hard at work in our dedicated poultry-specific lines, proving the discerning temperament and "careful bark" that makes this breed so unique. These isn't just a backyard hobby; it’s a living laboratory where we turn theories of temperament into proof.

Solly (PyrxGSD cross) shows off his utility talent by pulling buckets of dirt into the garden for me.

​Explore our current Training & Boarding programs here: [Link to Wix Training Page]

​See what’s coming next:

Future blog articles to come will include

• Break down of line progression

• Health updates and future litter plans

• How the website works for puppy buyers and training students

• Pictures, oh goodness LOTS of pictures.